Tirukkural Chapter 75 - Couplets 4,5,6

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL அதிகாரம் 75 - அரண் CHAPTER 75 - ON FORTRESS *** 75/04. சிறுகாப்பின் பேரிடத்தது ஆகி உறுபகை ஊக்கம் அழிப்பது அரண். 75/04. Sirukaappin peridhaththathu aagi urupagai Ookkam azhippadhu arann. 75/04. With a narrow gateway and inside highly spacious to move, a fortress must paralyze the attacking enemies. *** Muralidhar: Narrow gates prevent enemies, From entering all at a time thro' gateways. Janak: Yes, so many barriers The enemies have to cross, It is not so easy to tackle Each and every hurdle. Even after coming near fortress Wide moat is there to cross. Then arrows and boulders Dropped from high wall tops. By then, half of the armies Died or wounded on grounds, The rest ran away and escaped From the blood filled battlefield. *** 75/05. கொளற்கரி தாய்க் கொண்டகூழ்த்து ஆகி அகத்தார் நிலைக்கெளிதாம் நீரது அரண். 75/05. Kolarrkari thaaik konndakoozhththu aaghi aghaththaar Nilaikkellidhaam neeradhu arann. 75/05. Those guarding outside the fort must have sufficient facilities like food, water, and those inside should have sufficient arms and ammunitions, then only it is a good fortress. *** Muralidhar: After saying the requirements For a fortress and the surrounding places Next the poet has come to the man power. Janak: He says that guards posted Outside the fortress should Be provided with facilities Like food, water, shelters. Likewise, those posted Inside the fortress should Be given sufficient weapons To fight their enemies. A good fortress means, All these essential products Must be stored in advance, And used when the war started. *** 75/06. எல்லாப்பொருளும் உடைத்தாய் இடத்துதவும் நல்ஆள் உடையது அரண். 75/06. Ellaapporullum udaiththaai idaththudhavum Nalaall udaiyadhu arann. 75/06. A fortress is considered as good one, when there are good warriors to guard all the things provided inside the fortress without being destroyed by enemies *** Muralidhar: Nothing should go in the hands of enemies Or destroyed by them. Janak: There must be ‘do or die' warriors, To protect vital installations inside the fortress As they must not fall into the hands of enemies, In particular, arms and ammunitions. So, a fortress must be guarded well Day and night by proper vigil, To avoid enemies attack On both sides, front and back. There must be sufficient provisions For all the fighting forces For months, sometime years, Like food and essential supplies. ***